The lack of a consensus top prospect atop the 2020 NBA Draft is unlike anything seen in recent draft classes. While some drafts have had questions about which player should be taken No. 1, rarely has there been as much uncertainty and so many questions among the top prospects like there is this season with LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards.
While some reports have indicated Wiseman may be separating himself from the pack, ESPN’s DraftExpress noted that there is still no unanimous top prospect.
“There remains no consensus top prospect in this draft, and the No. 1 pick will come down to how the lottery shakes out, with team needs coming into play more than usual at the top.”
Depending on who is asked for which team and in what position, different answers will be given as to what player is the atop draft boards. Ask scouts and they may say Ball. Ask a scout and they may say Ball. Survey front office executives and they may say Wiseman. Ask a different set of executives and they’ll say Ball.
As Mike Schmitz noted for DraftExpress, there will never be a consensus but instead a fit-based big board for each team. As the Warriors have made clear, Ball likely won’t be atop their draft board while the Pistons and Knicks could feel differently.
The pre-draft process, no matter how abbreviated it may be, will offer some clarity but it appears there likely will never be a consensus top prospect in this year’s draft.